Old Testament Overview

The Old Testament is a foundational pillar of the Christian faith. Unfortunately, it is often avoided due to its complex nature, extensive lists, and historical distance. As believers, we are called to embrace the entirety of God’s Word for our sanctification.

God’s Word teaches us regarding the importance of knowing the entire counsel of God:

Joshua 1:8

Psalm 119:160

Acts 20:27

2 Tim. 2:15

2 Tim. 3:16-17

Why the Old Testament Is Important

It displays the magnificent character of God.

It contains our spiritual heritage.

It explains the mess that God will redeem.

It establishes the truth that sincere faith provides needed righteousness.

It provides the moral code for the believer.

It foreshadows Jesus.

It includes Jesus.

It proclaims the gospel.

The Old Testament Narrative

In reading the biblical narrative, one must be aware of the three levels:

Top Level – the complete universal plan of the Sovereign God being worked through His creation

Bottom Level – composed of hundreds of individual narratives that provide the content for the other two levels

To grasp the significance of the bottom level, we must read it with the other two levels in mind.

God is the hero of every narrative, every book, and every verse.

Narratives are not intended to give every detail, but it provides the big picture.

The Old Testament is not compiled in chronological order.

Old Testament Sections

Law – the origin of God’s people and God’s rules [provided the content of the Law]

History – the rise and fall of Israel [showed the need for Law]

Writings – wise guides for life [showed the wisdom of the Law]

Prophecy – warnings for the nations [reminded the consequences for the Law]

Old Testament Books

Genesis – the beginning

Exodus – exit

Leviticus – rules for worship

Numbers – wanderings and people

Deuteronomy – 2nd telling of the Law

Joshua – the conquest of the Promised Land

Judges – idolatrous cycle

Ruth – the king’s family tree

1 Samuel – judges to King Saul

2 Samuel – rise and fall of King David

1 Kings – King Solomon and division

2 Kings – the divided kingdom to exile

1 Chronicles – Israel’s history to Solomon

2 Chronicles – Solomon and rest of Judah’s history

Ezra – remnant returns to rebuild the temple

Nehemiah – rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem

Esther – God’s protection of Israel

Job – wisdom in suffering

Psalms – wisdom in worship

Proverbs – wisdom in living

Ecclesiastes – wisdom in obedience

Song of Solomon – wisdom in marriage

Isaiah – God’s judgment on Judah

Jeremiah – foretells New Covenant and warning of fall of Jerusalem

Lamentations – grief over fall of Jerusalem

Ezekiel – ministers to exiled Jews in Babylon

Daniel – visions for the future of the exiled

Hosea – spiritual adultery

Joel – terrifying judgment

Amos – Israel rejects God’s warning

Obadiah – a judgment against Edom

Jonah – a judgment against Nineveh

Micah – moral decay of Israel

Nahum – Nineveh will be destroyed

Habakkuk – Babylon will punish Judah

Zephaniah – Day of the Lord is coming

Haggai – houses before the temple

Zechariah – finish the temple

Malachi – complacency of spiritual leaders

15 Narrative Keywords

While the Old Testament can be a complex book, an understanding of the most pivotal events can provide the needed framework to study its entirety. Here are 15 narrative keywords to help outline the major message of the Old Testament: